81st Academy Awards Stories
81st Academy Awards
It was billed as the biggest movie event of the year, and the 81st Academy Awards turned out to be one of the most memorable telecasts in Oscar history. Read a recap of the show and see photos from the Red Carpet, the telecast and backstage. More
The Winners
Best Picture honors went to “Slumdog Millionaire” which also received seven other awards. Sean Penn and Kate Winslet took home the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress. See all nominees and winners
Governors Ball Party
Oscar Night wrapped up with the movie industry’s biggest party of the year. More
Oscar Show Preparations
Preparations for the Oscar telecast continue on Hollywood Boulevard and at the Kodak Theatre.
Oscar Party Kit
Throw your own Oscar party! View recipes from Master Chef Wolfgang Puck, get tips for entertaining on a budget and download Oscar ballots and games. More
Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Symposium
The 2008 Oscar nominees in the Makeup category discussed their creative process and presented film clips, photographs and models of their work. More
Foreign Language Film Award Nominees Symposium
Directors of the motion pictures nominated in the Foreign Language Film category appeared onstage to discuss their work. More
Animated Feature Symposium
The Animated Feature nominees discussed their film’s development and their creative process. More
Oscars Designer Challenge
Seven up-and-coming fashion designers competed to have their original evening gown worn by one of the Awards escorts on Oscar Night. See the winning design. More
Street & Sidewalk Closures
To ensure public safety, support security strategies and facilitate the production of the 81st Academy Awards® show, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the City of Los Angeles have finalized street closure plans around the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood. More
Nominees Luncheon
Fifteen of the 20 nominees in the acting categories were among the almost 120 Academy Award® nominees who gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel when the Academy honored this year’s Oscar contenders at its annual Nominees Luncheon. More
81st Academy Awards Poster
The iconic Oscar statuette is spotlighted center stage among the bright, glowing lights of the Kodak Theatre in the official poster of the 81st Academy Awards. More
Nominations Announcement
Nominations for the 81st Academy Awards were announced by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker. More
Meet the Oscars, Chicago
This one-of-a-kind exhibition in Chicago allows visitors to hold an Oscar statuette, see Clark Gable’s only Oscar and learn how the statuettes are made. More
Oscar Correspondent Contest
In a joint effort by the Academy and mtvU, college students are invited to submit a video showcasing their broadcast journalism skills and proving why they deserve to go to Los Angeles to cover red carpet festivities and backstage celebrations at the 81st Academy Awards. More
Scientific and Technical Awards Winners
Scientific and Technical Awards will be presented to Steve Hylén, Erwin Melzner, Volker Schumacher, Timo Müller, Jacques Delacoux, Alexandre Leuchter, Bruno Coumert, Jacques Debize, Dominique Chervin and Christophe Reboulet for their outstanding contributions to the industry. More
John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation
Mark Kimball, a computer scientist and motion picture technologist with more than 28 years experience in the movie industry, was voted the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation. More
Oscar Night America
On Sunday, February 22, you can participate in the excitement of the Academy Awards festivities by attending one of 52 official Academy Awards viewing parties across the country. The proceeds will benefit local charities. More
Gordon E. Sawyer Award
The Academy’s Board of Governors voted the Gordon E. Sawyer Award to Ed Catmull, a computer scientist, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, and president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. More
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
Actor, director, writer and producer Jerry Lewis has been voted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Academy’s Board of Governors. Lewis has raised more than $2 billion dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. More
